Interface for disposable sensors

ABSTRACT

Techniques described herein enable a mobile multifunction device to detect a disposable sensor card at an interface coupled to the mobile multifunction device, wherein the disposable sensor card is mounted inside an opening in the mobile multifunction device, detect analog information associated with the disposable sensor card, and convert analog information to digital information. Detecting analog information comprises detecting a non-transient change in at least a portion of the disposable sensor card, wherein at least a portion of the first disposable sensor card changes form in response to exposure to one or more stimuli from an environment of the first disposable sensor card. A non-transient change may include one or more of changing color, changing shape, changing chemical composition or changing electrical characteristics. Furthermore, the interface may be configured to receive disposable sensor cards with varying sensing capabilities. Each disposable sensor card may have one or more disposable sensors.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

Aspects of the disclosure relate to computing technologies. Inparticular, aspects of the disclosure relate to mobile devicetechnologies, such as systems, methods, apparatuses, andcomputer-readable media for using disposable sensors.

2. Relevant Background

With increasing prevalence of mobile multifunction devices in every dayoperations, current generation of applications executing on mobilemultifunction devices heavily rely on a large variety of sensors forproviding contextual information to applications. However, the sensorsintegrated in these mobile multifunction devices are usually expensivesensor technologies that are usually integrated inside the mobilemultifunction device and survive the life of the device, or at least forseveral years. The current sensors used in mobile multifunction devicesexclude a wide range of sensors with transduction mechanisms that areeither single use or have a relatively short life span with respect tothe life of the mobile multifunction device.

SUMMARY

According to one or more aspects of the disclosure, techniques describedherein enable a mobile multifunction device to detect a disposablesensor card at an interface coupled to the mobile multifunction device,wherein the disposable sensor card is mounted inside an opening in themobile multifunction device, detect analog information associated withthe disposable sensor card, and convert analog information to digitalinformation. Detecting analog information comprises detecting anon-transient change in at least a portion of the disposable sensorcard, wherein the non-transient change to at least a portion of thefirst disposable sensor card is in response to exposure to one or morestimuli from an environment of the disposable sensor card. Non-transientchange may include, but is not limited to, one or more of changingcolor, changing shape, changing chemical composition or changingelectrical characteristics. Furthermore, the interface may be configuredto receive multiple types of disposable sensor cards with varyingsensing capabilities. Each disposable sensor card may have one or moredisposable sensors.

An example mobile multifunction device may include an opening in themobile multifunction device for receiving a first disposable sensorcard, wherein the first disposable sensor card comprises a firstdisposable sensor and an interface coupled to the opening may beconfigured to detect analog information associated with at least aportion of the first disposable sensor card, and convert the analoginformation to digital information. The first disposable sensor card maybe removable. In some instances, the first disposable sensor is depletedafter one or a limited number of uses. The mobile multifunction devicemay be configured to receive the first disposable sensor card and asecond disposable sensor card one at a time, wherein the firstdisposable sensor card has different sensing characteristics then thesecond disposable sensor card.

In one implementation, the first disposable sensor card may include thefirst disposable sensor and a second disposable sensor, wherein thefirst disposable sensor and the second disposable sensor have differentsensing characteristics. The interface at the example mobilemultifunction device may be further configured to detect a firstidentifier associated with the first disposable sensor card, and aprocessor coupled to the interface at the mobile multifunction devicemay be configured to process the digital information based on thedetected first identifier.

In one implementation of the example mobile multifunction device,detecting analog information may include detecting a non-transientchange in the first disposable sensor card, wherein at least a portionof the first disposable sensor card changes the form in response toexposure to one or more stimuli from an environment of the firstdisposable sensor card. Non-transient change may include one or more ofchanging color, changing shape, changing chemical composition orchanging electrical characteristics. The first disposable sensor may beone or more of a pressure sensor, a humidity sensor, a temperaturesensor, a radiation sensor, a light sensor, or a chemical sensor.

In one implementation of the example mobile multifunction device,converting the analog information to the digital information may includedetecting a color associated with the first disposable sensor andconverting the color information to the digital information for furtherprocessing by a processor. In one aspect, the sensing material of thefirst disposable sensor is followed by an at least one optical filter inthe light path between a light source and a photo detector, fordetecting a color associated with the first disposable sensor. In oneimplementation, the first disposable sensor card may not have a digitalprocessor or an analog to digital convertor on the first disposablesensor card.

An example method, according to embodiments described herein, mayinclude detecting, at a mobile multifunction device, a first type of adisposable sensor card at an interface coupled to the mobilemultifunction device, wherein the disposable sensor card is placedinside an opening in the mobile multifunction device, detecting, at themobile multifunction device, analog information associated with thedisposable sensor card, and converting, at the mobile multifunctiondevice, analog information to digital information. The first disposablesensor card may be removable. In some instances, the first disposablesensor is depleted after one or a limited number of uses. The method maybe configured to receive the first disposable sensor card and a seconddisposable sensor card one at a time, wherein the first disposablesensor card has different sensing characteristics then the seconddisposable sensor card.

In one implementation, the first disposable sensor card may include thefirst disposable sensor and a second disposable sensor, wherein thefirst disposable sensor and the second disposable sensor have differentsensing characteristics. The interface may be further configured todetect a first identifier associated with the first disposable sensorcard, and a processor coupled to the interface at the mobilemultifunction device may be configured to process the digitalinformation based on the detected first identifier.

In one implementation of the method, detecting analog information mayinclude detecting a non-transient change in at least a portion of thefirst disposable sensor card, wherein the non-transient change in atleast a portion of the first disposable sensor card is in response toexposure to one or more stimuli from an environment of the firstdisposable sensor card. Non-transient change may include one or more ofchanging color, changing shape, changing chemical composition orchanging electrical characteristics. The first disposable sensor may beone or more of a pressure sensor, a humidity sensor, a temperaturesensor, a radiation sensor, a light sensor, or a chemical sensor.

In some implementations of the method, converting the analog informationto the digital information may include detecting a color associated withthe first disposable sensor and converting the color information to thedigital information for further processing by a processor. In oneaspect, the sensing material of the first disposable sensor is followedby an at least one optical filter in the light path between a lightsource and a photo detector, for detecting a color associated with thefirst disposable sensor. In one implementation, the first disposablesensor card may not have a digital processor or an analog to digitalconvertor on the first disposable sensor card.

An example non-transitory computer readable storage medium, wherein thenon-transitory computer readable storage medium comprises instructionsexecutable by a processor, the instructions may include instructions todetect a first type of a disposable sensor card at an interface coupledto a mobile multifunction device, wherein the disposable sensor card isplaced inside an opening in the mobile multifunction device, detectanalog information associated with the disposable sensor card, andconvert analog information to digital information. The first disposablesensor card may be removable. In some instances, the first disposablesensor is depleted after one or a limited number of uses. The method maybe configured to receive the first disposable sensor card and a seconddisposable sensor card one at a time, wherein the first disposablesensor card has different sensing characteristics then the seconddisposable sensor card.

In one implementation, the first disposable sensor card may include thefirst disposable sensor and a second disposable sensor, wherein thefirst disposable sensor and the second disposable sensor have differentsensing characteristics. The non-transitory computer readable storagemedium my include instructions to detect a first identifier associatedwith the first disposable sensor card, and a processor coupled to theinterface at the mobile multifunction device may be include instructionsto process the digital information based on the detected firstidentifier.

In one implementation of the method, detecting analog information mayinclude instructions for detecting a non-transient change of the firstdisposable sensor card, wherein the non-transient change of at least aportion of the first disposable sensor card is in response to exposureto one or more stimuli from an environment of the first disposablesensor card. Non-transient change may include one or more of changingcolor, changing shape, changing chemical composition or changingelectrical characteristics. The first disposable sensor may be one ormore of a pressure sensor, a humidity sensor, a temperature sensor, aradiation sensor, a light sensor, or a chemical sensor.

In some implementations of the method, converting the analog informationto the digital information may include instructions for detecting acolor associated with the first disposable sensor and instructions forconverting the color information to the digital information for furtherprocessing by a processor. In one aspect, the sensing material of thefirst disposable sensor is followed by an at least one optical filter inthe light path between a light source and a photo detector, fordetecting a color associated with the first disposable sensor. In oneimplementation, the first disposable sensor card may not have a digitalprocessor or an analog to digital convertor on the first disposablesensor card.

An example apparatus may include means for detecting, at a mobilemultifunction device, a first type of a disposable sensor card at aninterface coupled to the mobile multifunction device, wherein thedisposable sensor card is placed inside an opening in the mobilemultifunction device, means for means for detecting, at the mobilemultifunction device, analog information associated with the disposablesensor card, and means for converting, at the mobile multifunctiondevice, analog information to digital information. The first disposablesensor card may be removable. In some instances, the first disposablesensor may be depleted after one or a limited number of uses. Theapparatus may include means for receiving the first disposable sensorcard and a second disposable sensor card one at a time, wherein thefirst disposable sensor card has different sensing characteristics thenthe second disposable sensor card.

In one implementation, the first disposable sensor card may include thefirst disposable sensor and a second disposable sensor, wherein thefirst disposable sensor and the second disposable sensor have differentsensing characteristics. The interface may be further configured toinclude means for detecting a first identifier associated with the firstdisposable sensor card, and means to process the digital informationbased on the detected first identifier.

In one implementation of the example apparatus, detecting analoginformation may include means for detecting a non-transient change inthe first disposable sensor card, wherein the non-transient change in atleast a portion of the first disposable sensor card is in response toexposure to one or more stimuli from an environment of the firstdisposable sensor card. Non-transient change may include one or more ofchanging color, changing shape, changing chemical composition orchanging electrical characteristics. The first disposable sensor may beone or more of a pressure sensor, a humidity sensor, a temperaturesensor, a radiation sensor, a light sensor, or a chemical sensor.

In some implementations of the example apparatus, converting the analoginformation to the digital information may include means for detecting acolor associated with the first disposable sensor and means forconverting the color information to the digital information for furtherprocessing by a processor. In one aspect, the sensing material of thefirst disposable sensor is followed by an at least one optical filter inthe light path between a light source and a photo detector, fordetecting a color associated with the first disposable sensor. In oneimplementation, the first disposable sensor card may not have a digitalprocessor or an analog to digital convertor on the first disposablesensor card.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly features and technicaladvantages of examples in order that the detailed description thatfollows can be better understood. Additional features and advantageswill be described hereinafter. The conception and specific examplesdisclosed can be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designingother structures for carrying out the same purposes of the presentdisclosure. Such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spiritand scope of the appended claims. Features which are believed to becharacteristic of the concepts disclosed herein, both as to theirorganization and method of operation, together with associatedadvantages, will be better understood from the following descriptionwhen considered in connection with the accompanying figures. Each of thefigures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description onlyand not as a definition of the limits of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the disclosure are illustrated by way of example. Thefollowing description is provided with reference to the drawings, wherelike reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout.While various details of one or more techniques are described herein,other techniques are also possible. In some instances, well-knownstructures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order tofacilitate describing various techniques.

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of examplesprovided by the disclosure can be realized by reference to the remainingportions of the specification and the drawings, wherein like referencenumerals are used throughout the several drawings to refer to similarcomponents. In some instances, a sub-label is associated with areference numeral to denote one of multiple similar components. Whenreference is made to a reference numeral without specification to anexisting sub-label, the reference numeral refers to all such similarcomponents.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of an example mobile multifunctiondevice that may implement one or more aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of an example mobile multifunction devicethat may implement one or more aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B illustrates example disposable sensor cards,according to aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram, showing example components and/ormodules for performing methods provided by embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example interface for implementing an opticalmodule.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for performingembodiments of the invention according to one or more illustrativeaspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example computing device incorporating parts ofthe device employed in practicing embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Several illustrative embodiments will now be described with respect tothe accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. While particularembodiments, in which one or more aspects of the disclosure may beimplemented, are described below, other embodiments may be used andvarious modifications may be made without departing from the scope ofthe disclosure or the spirit of the appended claims.

Prior to discussing embodiments of the invention, description of someterms may be helpful in understanding embodiments of the invention.

As discussed herein, a “mobile multifunction device” may comprise anyelectronic device that may be transported and operated by a user, whichmay provide an interface and sensing electronics to allow converting aphysical property of a disposable sensor into information that may beread by the processing unit. The mobile multifunction device may beconfigured to receive analog information from a disposable sensor cardand determine the stimulus from the environment. Examples of mobilemultifunction devices include mobile phones (e.g. cellular phones),PDAs, tablet computers, net books, laptop computers, personal musicplayers, hand-held specialized readers, etc. Besides other componentsdiscussed in FIG. 7, the mobile multifunction device comprises aprocessor unit and battery power.

As described herein, a disposable sensor may refer to a type of sensorthat when exposed to stimulus from the environment results in anon-transient change to at least one portion of the sensor. In oneembodiment, exposure to the stimulus may result in change in physicalform of the sensor. Furthermore, as described herein, the disposablesensor is depleted after one or a limited number of uses or has arelatively short life span compared to integrated sensors on a mobilemultifunction device. In one embodiment, a short life span may beconsidered to be less than a year whereas a mobile multifunction devicemay last for about 3 years under regular use conditions.

Stimulus may refer to factors in the environment of the mobilemultifunction device causing a response by the disposable sensor. In oneexample, an analyte may be a stimulus to the disposable sensor, wherethe analyte is a substance or chemical constituent that is of interestfor detecting by the mobile multifunction device.

A disposable sensor card may comprise one or more disposable sensors.The disposable sensor card may be easily mounted and unmounted from themobile multifunction device without disassembling the mobilemultifunction device. According to embodiments of the invention, in someimplementations, analog to digital converters, processing logic andother expensive digital components are implemented as part of the mobilemultifunction device and not the disposable sensor card. Therefore, thedisposable sensor card can be cheaply manufactured, since it does notrequire these expensive components, such as an analog to digitalconverter, a processing unit, or even a power supply, in mostimplementations. Some implementations may however include inexpensiveprocessing logic and power supply components, such as capacitors, thatmay be relatively inexpensive compared to a processing unit or a powersupply. Furthermore, the disposable sensor card may be easilyreplaceable with a duplicate sensor card or a different sensor card atthe opening on the mobile multifunction device.

Today, a wide variety of sensors are excluded from the mobilemultifunction device ecosystem, such as toxic gas analyzers that maywork on chemically treated paper tape and may be used for one or limitednumber of uses. Mobile multifunction devices do not support a widevariety of sensors since many of sensors have a very short life span,some limited to just a single use. Current mobile multifunction devicesdo not have a way of accommodating sensors with such a short life span.Additionally, many of these wide range of sensors are not applicable oruseful to most mobile multifunction device users. Adding support foreven a small subset of sensors from the wide range of sensors wouldrequire that the mobile multifunction device manufacturers providesupport for select sensors by amortizing the cost of the select sensorsto all users. Furthermore, the sensors can be very expensive, especiallyif they need to be replaced on a semi-regular bases.

Embodiments of the invention describe an interface on the mobilemultifunction device that can facilitate receiving and processing ofanalog information received from the environment of the device for thepurpose of detecting one or more different stimuli from the environment.The mobile multifunction device interface can be adapted to receiveanalog information from a variety of disposable sensor cards inserted inthe mobile multifunctional device that may be adapted to detectdifferent stimuli from the environment. The interface in the mobilemultifunction device may be implemented as a slot or opening in themobile multifunction device.

Providing analog to digital conversion and other digital processing andfunctionality on the mobile multifunction device may be advantageous insimplifying the design and reducing the costs of the disposable sensorcard. Also, the analog to digital converter and other digital componentsassociated with performing embodiments of the invention may not need tobe replaced with the replacement of the disposable sensor card, sincethose components may not experience non-transient changes or changephysical form in the process of measuring the detected environmentalstimuli by the disposable sensor card. Additionally, the same analog todigital conversion components may be used to detect changes in differentdisposable sensor cards associated with different environmental stimuli.For example, the same analog to digital converter and other digitalcomponents of the mobile multifunction device may be configured tomeasure the composition of the air using a first disposable sensor cardand pool chlorine using a second disposable sensor card.

Implementations of embodiments of the invention may provide severaladvantages such as constant and automatic monitoring of theenvironmental stimuli and monitoring of various different environmentalstimuli at the same time using multiple sensing materials. For example,existing applications may allow visually reading a color change sensorfor a disposable sensor at a particular point in time. Many color changesensors respond to chemical stimuli, such as pool chlorine test.However, if constant monitoring is needed then there is an advantage toautomating the measurement and reporting or alarming the userautomatically. An implementation of a toxic gas monitor using the mobilemultifunction device is an example of such constant and automaticmonitoring. Furthermore, if there is a single test point (i.e., one spotwhere the color changes), the change may be visually read. However,there are many chemicals or compositions that cannot be identified by asingle sensing material and require multiple points of data because ofcross response to other possible materials. For example, to measure thetoxic nature of the air at a particular time, the composition of the airthat may include several different chemicals may need to be detected andmeasured before alerting the user. Therefore, in such instances, anautomated system that can measure several spots on the disposable sensorcard continuously and use a method to identify the sampled material ormaterials would be advantageous.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example mobile multifunction device 102 with anopening 104 for a disposable sensor card 106, according to oneembodiment of the invention. An opening (or slot) to accept thedisposable sensor card could be arranged in a manner similar to that ofan add-on memory card, such as a micro-SD card, but with differentconnections to facilitate sensing of the environmental stimuli. FIG. 1illustrates a non-limiting placement of the slot for receiving thedisposable sensor card. In another implementation, it may be possible toshare the same slot with a micro-SD or other cards. In yet anotherimplementation, the mobile multifunction device 102 may interface withremote sensors using wireless or wired connection allowing for remotesensing and low cost peripherals.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the example mobile multifunctiondevice with an opening for the disposable sensor card 106, according toone embodiment of the invention. In one implementation, the dashed lines(202) show an opening in the back, providing the disposable sensor card106 direct access to the outside environment. For chemical sensors,where liquid may be needed to be applied to the disposable sensors, anopening in the rear of the mobile multifunction device may be providedto allow for applying of the analyte. This has the advantage of allowingdiscreet application in a social situation. For example, at a party theuser of the mobile multifunction device 102 can test forgamma-Hydroxybutyric acid, a “drug facilitated sexual assault” drug intheir drinks. In another implementation, one of the side walls of theopening 104 may be perforated to allow access to the outsideenvironment.

The placement for a disposable sensor card 106 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.2 are example placements. Placing the disposable sensor card in anopening or slot in the mobile multifunctional device may allow thedisposable sensor card to continuously monitor the environmental stimuliwhile the user may be using the mobile multifunctional device for otherpurposes, such as making/receiving calls, browsing the internet, etc.The interface associated with detecting the change in the disposablesensor card 106 may alert the user through a user interface (not shown)once a stimulus of interest is detected by the disposable sensor card.The user interface may alert the user by providing the user with anotification on the display of the mobile multifunctional device,providing the user with haptic feedback, an auditory signal or any othersuitable means for notifying the user.

FIG. 3A illustrates an example disposable sensor card 302 according toone embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment, the disposablesensor card 302 may include a single disposable sensor material. Thedisposable sensor card 302 may have a function ID 304 associated withit. The function ID 304 may indicate the sensing capability of thedisposable sensor card 302. In one implementation, the mobilemultifunction device 102 may access the function ID 304 associated withthe disposable sensor card 302 to determine the sensing functionality ofthe disposable sensor card 302 and react to stimulus/analytesaccordingly. The mobile multifunction device 102 may read the functionID 304 and based on the reading of the function ID 304 determine thatthe disposable sensor card 302 is configured to detect a specificenvironmental stimulus and experience a non-transient change based onthat stimulus. The mobile multifunction device 102 monitors thedisposable sensor card 302 for a non-transient change, such as a changein physical form, in a pre-specified manner based on the function ID 304associated with the disposable sensor card 302. When the disposablesensor on the disposable sensor card 304 changes physical form (e.g.,color) the mobile multifunction device may provide an alert orindication to the user of the device of the detection of the presence ofenvironmental stimulus. Once the disposable sensor in the disposablesensor card 302 is depleted or used, the user may change or replace thedisposable sensor card 302. The disposable sensor card 302 may beconsidered used once the disposable sensors on the disposable sensorcard has changed in a non-transient manner and can no longer detect theintended environmental stimuli.

In one implementation, the function ID 304 may be implemented usingbumps and depressions on the disposable sensor card 302. In anotherimplementation, the function ID 304 may be stored in a memory on thedisposable sensor card 302.

FIG. 3B illustrates another example disposable sensor card 308 accordingto another embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 3B, adisposable sensor card 308 may include multiple disposable sensors (310,312, 314 and 316) having different sensing materials. It may beadvantageous to have multiple disposable sensors on a single disposablesensor card 308. For example, for a pool water test, both the bromineand chlorine levels may need to be tested simultaneously to determinethe quality of the water. Similarly, for an air quality test it may bedesirable to test the air for different impurities using multipledisposable sensors at the same time. The mobile multifunction device maydetermine that the disposable sensor card 308 is comprised of multipledisposable sensors based on the reading of the function ID 306.

FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram, showing exemplary components and/ormodules for performing methods provided by embodiments of the invention.Mobile multifunction device 102 discussed in FIG. 1 and FIG. 7, mayrepresent some of the components of the mobile multifunction device 102used for performing the embodiments of the invention described in FIG.4. The components and modules discussed in FIG. 4 may be implemented inhardware, software, firmware or any combination thereof.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary interface associated with receivinganalog information from an opening/slot of the mobile multifunctiondevice according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 describes animplementation of the interface for receiving analog information from adisposable sensor card described in FIG. 3A or FIG. 3B and convertingthe information to digital information for further processing by theprocessing unit 402. Conversion of analog to digital may be based on theability to measure a voltage, a current, a resistance, a capacitance,the spectral reflection or absorption of a material, and othertechniques.

FIG. 4 depicts functional blocks for measuring voltage 406, current 408,temperature 410, resistance 412, capacitance 414, optical spectralreflection 416 and pressure 418 from the disposable sensor card insertedin the opening or slot of the mobile multifunction device 420. Thevoltage module 406 may measure voltage with any of a number ofsemiconductor circuits, for example an op-amp connected as a voltagefollower and a sigma-delta analog to digital converter. The currentmodule 408 may measure current in a similar fashion, but with the op-ampconnected as a trans-impedance amplifier to convert current to voltageand then followed by an analog to digital converter. The temperaturemodule 410 may measure temperature, such as that of an exothermalchemical reaction, can be measured by monitoring the forward current ofa silicon diode. The resistance module 412 may measure resistance byforcing a fixed current though the disposable sensor and measuring thevoltage drop across the two terminals of the disposable sensor. Thecapacitance module 414 may measure capacitance by first connecting thetwo terminals of the capacitor together, followed by connecting oneterminal to ground and the other to a fixed current source. The voltagechange with time is measured and the capacitance is determined fromC=i/dV/dt. The pressure module 418 may measure pressure with a straingauge, which measures the change in resistance. The strain gauges may bemounted on a deformable membrane that responds to pressure. Many otherconfigurations are possible and would depend on the sensor types to beused. It may be advantageous to have the interface flexible enough tomeasure a wide range of physical effects associated with a multitudedisposable sensors allowing for enhancement of capabilities of themobile multifunction device by updating the software/firmware on themobile multifunction device.

The function identifier module 404 detects a function identifierassociated with the disposable sensor card inserted in the opening ofthe mobile multifunction device. In one implementation, the functionidentifier value associated with the disposable sensor card may be sentfor further processing to the processing unit 402 to determine thesensing capabilities of the disposable sensor card. The processing unitmay execute a software module or activate a portion of the executableinstructions within a software module based on the function identifier.The processing unit 402 may be one or more processors 710 described inFIG. 7, and the software module may be stored in working memory 735 asan application 745 or as part of an application 745. In oneimplementation, based on the function identifier, the mobilemultifunction device 102 may activate specific detection modulesassociated with the interface for measuring the non-transient change inthe disposable sensing material.

For example, in a simplified example, the function identifier value mayidentify the disposable sensor card as an air quality disposable sensorcard with a single disposable sensor that changes color to red when theair quality is dangerously polluted. The processing unit 402 mayactivate the optical detection module 416 to detect red color on thedisposable sensor card 104 based on the function identifier. Uponchanging of the disposable sensor material to red, the optical module416 detects the color change and sends digital information conveying thenon-transient change in the sensing material to the processing unit 402.The processing unit 402 may in response alert the user through a userinterface that the air quality is dangerously polluted. The user mayreplace the sensor once the sensor is used. The user interface for themobile multifunction device may also alert the user, once orperiodically, to replace the sensor once the sensor is used. In anotherimplementation, the mobile multifunction device 102 may provide anindication that the disposable sensor is used that may cause thedisposable sensors to be automatically ordered. Since the disposablesensor cards are relatively small and light, the cards can be mailed atlow cost facilitating the restocking of disposable sensor cards.

Even though, many of the examples discussed herein are associated withdetecting the change of color in response to environmental stimuli,other disposable sensor types may also be used. For example, chemicallysensitive gels that swell in the presence of a sensed substance could bemeasured by use of capacitance. Also, nano materials could havesensitized surfaces that would change conducting form in the presence ofa particular analyte and this could be measured by resistance.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example interface for implementing the opticalmodule 416 detecting one or more color changes at the mobilemultifunction device according to an example embodiment of the mobilemultifunction device. The interface coupled to the mobile multifunctiondevice 102 may include filters 510 to allow color measurementsappropriate for the particular chemistry of the disposable sensors.These filters could be selected to match the color response for variousdisposable sensors. In one implementation, there may be one filter foreach color (spectral) range. In FIG. 5, four photo detectors (504A,504B, 504C and 504D) are represented each with its own filter. Inanother implementation, the filters 508 may be implemented within thedisposable sensor itself. Depending on the range of color change sensorsdesired there may be more or less number of photo detectors and filters.The photo detectors could be arranged linearly or in a 2D array or anyother suitable manner. The filters, 508, may pass certain frequencybands of light and thus can be used to selectively observe the intensityin a particular band at the photo detectors. Implementing the filters inthe disposable sensors may allow operation that is determined by thedisposable sensor's construction, and avoid the cost of a spectrometerin the sensor interface of the mobile multifunction device. If thesensing was accomplished by operating the interface in reflection mode,then the light source and the light detector are on the same side of thesensing material, such that light reflecting off of the sensing materialis collected at the light detector. FIG. 5 shows an internal lightsource 506. However, ambient light could also be used and thus savepower.

FIG. 5 shows the system working in transmission, but the system may alsobe operable in reflection. For transmission, when the sensor interfaceis working to measure optical transmission, light passes from one sideof the sensing material of the disposable sensor through to the otherside and the difference in the intensity may be measured on the otherside of the light source with respect to the disposable sensor. In someimplementations, a reference beam, that does not go through the sensingmaterial of the disposable sensor, is also sensed at the other side atthe same time as the light beam passing through the sensing material ofthe disposable sensor. Comparisons between the reference beam and thelight beam that passes through the sensing material of the disposablesensors allows for compensating for degradations or changes in the lightsource over time.

A wide variety of disposable sensors react by changing color in responseto exposure to environmental stimuli. A few non-limiting examplesinclude Structured Gel, paper incorporated with polydiactylenes, groundarsenic detector, food spoilage detector, and glucose detector.

Structured gel expands and contracts in one dimension resulting in colorchange. Structured gel responds to external stimuli such as PH and saltconcentration, pressure, humidity and temperature.

Paper incorporated with polydiactylenes (PDAs) can also displaydifferent colors after exposure to different metal ions. Polymerizationtakes place and molecules are reordered in response to ultravioletirradiation. The binding of the different metallic ions results inchange in color.

Groundwater arsenic detector can be detected using a disposable sensor.In the presence of arsenic, aptamers are exhausted due to the formationof an As(III)-aptamer complex. Aptamers are molecules that bind to aspecific target molecule. Aptamers and surfactants could assemble toform a super-molecule. Surfactants are compounds that lower the surfacetension of a liquid, the interfacial tension between two liquids, orthat between a liquid and a solid. These super-molecules may cause theaggregation of the gold nanoparticles. This results in a color change.

Food spoilage and ripening can also be detected using dyes printed onpaper that react to volatiles as a result of spoilage in the food. Thedyes change colors due to exposure.

In a glucose detection sensor, the phenylboronic acid binds to d-glucosein the presence of glucose and forms a negatively charged boronatecomplex. The additional negative charge swells the film causing it toreflect light in the wavelength of orange.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for performingembodiments of the invention according to one or more illustrativeaspects of the disclosure. According to one or more aspects, any and/orall of the methods and/or method steps described herein may beimplemented by and/or in a mobile multifunction device 100, such as themobile multifunction device 100 and/or the device described in greaterdetail in FIG. 7, for instance. In one embodiment, one or more of themethod steps described below with respect to FIG. 6 are implemented by aprocessor of the mobile multifunction device 700, such as the processor710 or another processor. Modules and components discussed in FIG. 4,may also be implemented as components of the mobile multifunction device700 and may be used in performing embodiments of the invention asdiscussed in FIG. 6. Additionally or alternatively, any and/or all ofthe methods and/or method steps described herein may be implemented incomputer-readable instructions, such as computer-readable instructionsstored on a computer-readable medium such as the memory 735, storage 725or another computer readable medium.

At step 602, components of the mobile multifunction device may detect afirst type of disposable sensor card at an interface coupled to themobile multifunction device. The disposable sensor card is detected whenmounted inside an opening/slot in the mobile multifunction device. Thefirst type of disposable sensor card may be determined by detecting afirst identifier associated with the first disposable sensor card. Inone implementation, the function identifier module 404 detects the firstidentifier associated with the disposable sensor card using theprocessing unit 402.

In one implementation, the disposable sensor card comprises a singledisposable sensor. In other implementations, the disposable sensor cardincludes multiple disposable sensors. The multiple disposable sensors inthe disposable sensor card may include different sensing capabilities.It may be advantageous to have multiple sensors in the disposable sensorcard to detect more than one stimuli and provide the user with a morecomprehensive understanding of the environment. For example, for a poolwater test, it would be advantageous to test for bromine and chlorineusing different sensing materials. The disposable sensor may include,but is not limited to, one or more of a pressure sensor, a humiditysensor, a temperature sensor, a radiation sensor, a light sensor, or achemical sensor.

The mobile multifunction device provides a flexible interface fordisposable sensor cards and first disposable sensor may be easilyremovable and replaceable. In one embodiment, components of the mobilemultifunction device may detect a second type of disposable sensor cardwhen the first type of disposable sensor card is replaced with anotherdisposable sensor card. The first type of disposable sensor card mayhave different sensing characteristics then the second type ofdisposable sensor card. It may be advantageous to support disposablesensor cards with differing sensing capabilities using the same openingand interface. For example, a user may want to test the air using afirst disposable sensor and use the second disposable sensor as analcohol breathalyzer. This allows the mobile multifunction device tosupport varying usage models by invoking or downloading differentsoftware application modules for different sensing applications.

For some applications, the disposable sensor card may be depleted afterone use. The non-transient change in the form of at least a portion ofthe disposable sensor card from one form to another may indicatedepletion of the disposable sensor card. In some implementations, thefirst disposable sensor card does not have a digital processor or ananalog to digital convertor on the first disposable sensor card. It maybe advantageous to simplify the design of the disposable sensor card, byexcluding expensive components such as processing units, analog todigital converters and power supplies to reduce the cost associated withthe disposable sensor cards.

At step 604, analog information associated with the disposable sensorcard is detected. In one implementation, detecting analog informationassociated with the disposable sensor card may include detecting anon-transient change in at least a portion of the disposable sensors onthe disposable sensor card, wherein the disposable sensors experiencesnon-transient changes in response to exposure to one or more stimulifrom an environment of the disposable sensor card. In one embodiment,the analog and digital components residing on the mobile multifunctiondevice measure the non-transient changes associated with the disposablesensor cards. In some aspects, detecting a non-transient change in atleast a portion of the disposable sensor may include detecting a changein color, shape, chemical composition or electrical characteristics ofone or more disposable sensors on the disposable sensor card.

At step 606, the analog information is converted to digital information.In one implementation, converting analog information to digitalinformation may include determining one or more stimuli from theenvironment based on the non-transient change in at least a portion ofthe first disposable sensor card and the first type. Components of themobile multifunction device, such as the analog to digital converter,may convert the analog information detected in step 604 to digitalinformation. For example, in one implementation determining anon-transient change in the form of the first disposable sensor card mayinclude detecting a color change associated with the first disposablesensor and converting color change information to digital informationfor further processing by the mobile multifunction device.

It should be appreciated that the specific steps illustrated in FIG. 6provide a particular method of switching between modes of operation,according to an embodiment of the present invention. Other sequences ofsteps may also be performed accordingly in alternative embodiments. Forexample, alternative embodiments of the present invention may performthe steps outlined above in a different order. Furthermore, additionalsteps or variations to the steps may be added or removed depending onthe particular applications. One of ordinary skill in the art wouldrecognize and appreciate many variations, modifications, andalternatives of the process.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary computing device incorporating parts ofthe device employed in practicing embodiments of the invention. Acomputing device as illustrated in FIG. 7 may be incorporated as part ofany computerized system, herein. For example, computing device canrepresent some of the components of a mobile multifunction device 102. Amobile multifunction device 102 may be any computing system 700 with oneor more input sensory unit or input devices 715 such as sensors 750 andone or more input/output devices such as a display unit or a touchscreen. Examples of a computing device 700 include, but are not limitedto, video game consoles, tablets, smart phones, laptops, netbooks, orother portable devices. In one embodiment, FIG. 7 describes one or morecomponents of the mobile multifunction device 102 discussed in FIG. 1and components and modules described in FIG. 4. FIG. 7 provides aschematic illustration of one embodiment of a computing device 700 thatcan perform the methods provided by various other embodiments, asdescribed herein, and/or can function as the host computing device, aremote kiosk/terminal, a point-of-sale device, a mobile multifunctiondevice, a set-top box and/or a computing device. FIG. 7 is meant only toprovide a generalized illustration of various components, any or all ofwhich may be utilized as appropriate. FIG. 7, therefore, broadlyillustrates how individual system elements may be implemented in arelatively separated or relatively more integrated manner.

The computing device 700 is shown comprising hardware elements that canbe electrically coupled via a bus 705 (or may otherwise be incommunication, as appropriate). The hardware elements may include one ormore processors 710, including without limitation one or moregeneral-purpose processors and/or one or more special-purpose processors(such as digital signal processing chips, graphics accelerationprocessors, and/or the like); one or more input devices 715, which caninclude without limitation a camera, sensors 750 (including photodetectors), a mouse, a keyboard and/or the like; and one or more outputdevices 720, which can include without limitation a display unit, aprinter and/or the like. In one embodiment, the computing device 700 mayalso comprise a sensor interface as discussed in FIG. 4.

The computing device 700 may further include (and/or be in communicationwith) one or more non-transitory storage devices 725, which cancomprise, without limitation, local and/or network accessible storage,and/or can include, without limitation, a disk drive, a drive array, anoptical storage device, a solid-form storage device such as a randomaccess memory (“RAM”) and/or a read-only memory (“ROM”), which can beprogrammable, flash-updateable and/or the like. Such storage devices maybe configured to implement any appropriate data storage, includingwithout limitation, various file systems, database structures, and/orthe like.

The computing device 700 might also include a communications subsystem730, which can include without limitation a modem, a network card(wireless or wired), an infrared communication device, a wirelesscommunication device and/or chipset (such as a Bluetooth™ device, an802.11 device, a WiFi device, a WiMax device, cellular communicationfacilities, etc.), and/or the like. The communications subsystem 730 maypermit data to be exchanged with a network (such as the networkdescribed below, to name one example), other computing devices, and/orany other devices described herein. In many embodiments, the computingdevice 700 will further comprise a non-transitory working memory 735,which can include a RAM or ROM device, as described above.

The computing device 700 can comprise software elements, shown as beingcurrently located within the working memory 735, including an operatingsystem 740, device drivers, executable libraries, and/or other code,such as one or more application programs 745, which may comprisecomputer programs provided by various embodiments, and/or may bedesigned to implement methods, and/or configure systems, provided byother embodiments, as described herein. In one implementation,components or modules of FIG. 4 may be performed using such softwareelements. Merely by way of example, one or more procedures describedwith respect to the method(s) discussed above might be implemented ascode and/or instructions executable by a computer (and/or a processorwithin a computer); in an aspect, then, such code and/or instructionscan be used to configure and/or adapt a general purpose computer (orother device) to perform one or more operations in accordance with thedescribed methods.

A set of these instructions and/or code might be stored on acomputer-readable storage medium, such as the storage device(s) 725described above. In some cases, the storage medium might be incorporatedwithin a computing device, such as computing device 700. In otherembodiments, the storage medium might be separate from a computingdevice (e.g., a removable medium, such as a compact disc), and/orprovided in an installation package, such that the storage medium can beused to program, configure and/or adapt a general purpose computer withthe instructions/code stored thereon. These instructions might take theform of executable code, which is executable by the computing device 700and/or might take the form of source and/or installable code, which,upon compilation and/or installation on the computing device 700 (e.g.,using any of a variety of generally available compilers, installationprograms, compression/decompression utilities, etc.) then takes the formof executable code.

Substantial variations may be made in accordance with specificrequirements. For example, customized hardware might also be used,and/or particular elements might be implemented in hardware, software(including portable software, such as applets, etc.), or both. Further,connection to other computing devices 700 such as network input/outputdevices may be employed.

Some embodiments may employ a computing device (such as the computingdevice 700) to perform methods in accordance with the disclosure. Forexample, some or all of the procedures of the described methods may beperformed by the computing device 700 in response to processor 710executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions (which mightbe incorporated into the operating system 740 and/or other code, such asan application program 745) contained in the working memory 735. Suchinstructions may be read into the working memory 735 from anothercomputer-readable medium, such as one or more of the storage device(s)725. Merely by way of example, execution of the sequences ofinstructions contained in the working memory 735 might cause theprocessor(s) 710 to perform one or more procedures of the methodsdescribed herein.

The terms “machine-readable medium” and “computer-readable medium,” asused herein, refer to any medium that participates in providing datathat causes a machine to operate in a specific fashion. In an embodimentimplemented using the computing device 700, various computer-readablemedia might be involved in providing instructions/code to processor(s)710 for execution and/or might be used to store and/or carry suchinstructions/code (e.g., as signals). In many implementations, acomputer-readable medium is a physical and/or tangible storage medium.Such a medium may take many forms, including, but not limited to,non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatilemedia include, for example, optical and/or magnetic disks, such as thestorage device(s) 725. Volatile media include, without limitation,dynamic memory, such as the working memory 735. Transmission mediainclude, without limitation, coaxial cables, copper wire and fiberoptics, including the wires that comprise the bus 705, as well as thevarious components of the communications subsystem 730 (and/or the mediaby which the communications subsystem 730 provides communication withother devices). Hence, transmission media can also take the form ofwaves (including without limitation radio, acoustic and/or light waves,such as those generated during radio-wave and infrared datacommunications). In an alternate embodiment, event-driven components anddevices, such as cameras, may be used, where some of the processing maybe performed in analog domain.

Common forms of physical and/or tangible computer-readable mediainclude, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk,magnetic tape, or any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, any other opticalmedium, punchcards, papertape, any other physical medium with patternsof holes, a RAM, a PROM, EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip orcartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, or any other mediumfrom which a computer can read instructions and/or code.

Various forms of computer-readable media may be involved in carrying oneor more sequences of one or more instructions to the processor(s) 710for execution. Merely by way of example, the instructions may initiallybe carried on a magnetic disk and/or optical disc of a remote computer.A remote computer might load the instructions into its dynamic memoryand send the instructions as signals over a transmission medium to bereceived and/or executed by the computing device 700. These signals,which might be in the form of electromagnetic signals, acoustic signals,optical signals and/or the like, are all examples of carrier waves onwhich instructions can be encoded, in accordance with variousembodiments of the invention.

The communications subsystem 730 (and/or components thereof) generallywill receive the signals, and the bus 705 then might carry the signals(and/or the data, instructions, etc. carried by the signals) to theworking memory 735, from which the processor(s) 710 retrieves andexecutes the instructions. The instructions received by the workingmemory 735 may optionally be stored on a non-transitory storage device725 either before or after execution by the processor(s) 710.

The methods, systems, and devices discussed above are examples. Variousembodiments may omit, substitute, or add various procedures orcomponents as appropriate. For instance, in alternative configurations,the methods described may be performed in an order different from thatdescribed, and/or various stages may be added, omitted, and/or combined.Also, features described with respect to certain embodiments may becombined in various other embodiments. Different aspects and elements ofthe embodiments may be combined in a similar manner. Also, technologyevolves and, thus, many of the elements are examples that do not limitthe scope of the disclosure to those specific examples.

Specific details are given in the description to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the embodiments. However, embodiments may be practicedwithout these specific details. For example, well-known circuits,processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques have been shownwithout unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments.This description provides example embodiments only, and is not intendedto limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention.Rather, the preceding description of the embodiments will provide thoseskilled in the art with an enabling description for implementingembodiments of the invention. Various changes may be made in thefunction and arrangement of elements without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

Also, some embodiments were described as processes depicted as flowdiagrams or block diagrams. Although each may describe the operations asa sequential process, many of the operations can be performed inparallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations maybe rearranged. A process may have additional steps not included in thefigure. Furthermore, embodiments of the methods may be implemented byhardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardwaredescription languages, or any combination thereof. When implemented insoftware, firmware, middleware, or microcode, the program code or codesegments to perform the associated tasks may be stored in acomputer-readable medium such as a storage medium. Processors mayperform the associated tasks.

Having described several embodiments, various modifications, alternativeconstructions, and equivalents may be used without departing from thespirit of the disclosure. For example, the above elements may merely bea component of a larger system, wherein other rules may take precedenceover or otherwise modify the application of the invention. Also, anumber of steps may be undertaken before, during, or after the aboveelements are considered. Accordingly, the above description does notlimit the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile multifunction device, comprising: anopening in the mobile multifunction device for receiving a firstdisposable sensor card, wherein the first disposable sensor cardcomprises a first disposable sensor; and an interface coupled to theopening configured to: detect analog information associated with atleast a portion of the first disposable sensor card; and convert theanalog information to digital information.
 2. The mobile multifunctiondevice of claim 1, wherein the first disposable sensor card isremovable.
 3. The mobile multifunction device of claim 1, wherein themobile multifunction device is configured to receive the firstdisposable sensor card and a second disposable sensor card one at atime, wherein the first disposable sensor card has different sensingcharacteristics then the second disposable sensor card.
 4. The mobilemultifunction device of claim 1, wherein the first disposable sensorcard comprises the first disposable sensor and a second disposablesensor, wherein the first disposable sensor and the second disposablesensor have different sensing characteristics.
 5. The mobilemultifunction device of claim 1, wherein the interface is furtherconfigured to detect a first identifier associated with the firstdisposable sensor card; and a processor coupled to the interface at themobile multifunction device is configured to process the analoginformation based at least in part on the detected first identifier. 6.The mobile multifunction device of claim 1, wherein detecting analoginformation comprises detecting a non-transient change in at least aportion of the first disposable sensor card, wherein at least theportion of the first disposable sensor card changes in response toexposure to one or more stimuli from an environment of the firstdisposable sensor card.
 7. The mobile multifunction device of claim 6,wherein the non-transient change comprises one or more of changingcolor, changing shape, changing chemical composition or changingelectrical characteristics.
 8. The mobile multifunction device of claim1, wherein the first disposable sensor is one or more of a pressuresensor, a humidity sensor, a temperature sensor, a radiation sensor, alight sensor, or a chemical sensor.
 9. The mobile multifunction deviceof claim 1, wherein converting the analog information to the digitalinformation comprises detecting a color associated with the firstdisposable sensor and converting the color information to the digitalinformation for further processing by a processor.
 10. The mobilemultifunction device of claim 9, further comprising sensing material ofthe first disposable sensor followed by an at least one optical filterfor detecting a color associated with the first disposable sensor, inlight path between a light source and a photo detector.
 11. The mobilemultifunction device of claim 1, wherein the first disposable sensorcard is depleted after one use.
 12. The mobile multifunction device ofclaim 1, wherein the first disposable sensor card does not have adigital processor or an analog to digital convertor on the firstdisposable sensor card.
 13. A method comprising: detecting, at a mobilemultifunction device, a first type of a disposable sensor card at aninterface coupled to the mobile multifunction device, wherein thedisposable sensor card is placed inside an opening in the mobilemultifunction device; detecting, at the mobile multifunction device,analog information associated with the disposable sensor card; andconverting, at the mobile multifunction device, analog information todigital information.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein detectinganalog information comprises detecting a non-transient change in atleast a portion of the disposable sensor card, wherein the non-transientchange in at least the portion of the disposable sensor card is inresponse to exposure to one or more stimuli from an environment of thedisposable sensor card.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein convertinganalog information associated with at least a portion of the disposablesensor card comprises determining an environmental stimuli based on anon-transient change in at least a portion of the disposable sensor cardand the first type.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the disposablesensor card is removable.
 17. The method of claim 13, further comprisesdetecting a second type of disposable sensor card when the first type ofthe disposable sensor card is replaced with another disposable sensorcard, wherein the first type of the disposable sensor card has differentsensing characteristics then the second type of disposable sensor card.18. The method of claim 13, wherein the disposable sensor card comprisesa first disposable sensor and a second disposable sensor, wherein thefirst disposable sensor and the second disposable sensor have differentsensing characteristics.
 19. The method of claim 13, wherein the firsttype of the disposable sensor card is determined at least in part bydetecting a first identifier associated with the disposable sensor card.20. The method of claim 13, wherein changing form comprises one or moreof changing color, changing shape, changing chemical composition orchanging electrical characteristics.
 21. The method of claim 13, whereinthe disposable sensor card comprises a disposable sensor and thedisposable sensor is one or more of a pressure sensor, a humiditysensor, a temperature sensor, a radiation sensor, a light sensor, or achemical sensor.
 22. The method of claim 13, wherein detecting analoginformation comprises detecting a color change associated with at leasta portion of the disposable sensor card and converting analoginformation to digital information comprises converting the color changeinformation to the digital information for further processing.
 23. Themobile multifunction device of claim 9, further comprising sensingmaterial of the first disposable sensor followed by an at least oneoptical filter for detecting a color associated with the firstdisposable sensor, in light path between a light source and a photodetector.
 24. The method of claim 13, wherein the disposable sensor cardis depleted after one use.
 25. The method of claim 13, wherein thedisposable sensor card does not have a digital processor or an analog todigital convertor present on the disposable sensor card.
 26. Anon-transitory computer readable storage medium, wherein thenon-transitory computer readable storage medium comprises instructionsexecutable by a processor, the instructions comprising instructions to:detect a first type of a disposable sensor card at an interface coupledto a mobile multifunction device, wherein the disposable sensor card isplaced inside an opening in the mobile multifunction device; detectanalog information associated with the disposable sensor card; andconvert analog information to digital information.
 27. An apparatus,comprising: means for detecting, at a mobile multifunction device, afirst type of a disposable sensor card at an interface coupled to themobile multifunction device, wherein the disposable sensor card isplaced inside an opening in the mobile multifunction device; means fordetecting, at the mobile multifunction device, analog informationassociated with the disposable sensor card; and means for converting, atthe mobile multifunction device, analog information to digitalinformation.